Newly appointed Correctional Services Minister, Pieter Groenewald. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA
Former chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Correctional Services, Dennis Bloem, says they have been met with resistance when fighting for tighter regulations at the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
Bloem said as a committee, they insisted that televisions, cellphones, laptops, and all other electronic devices be banned from any correctional services facilities.
“The resistance and objections not only came from the DCS but also from some civil society organisations. They said that the committee interfered with the human rights of the inmates.
“However, the problem is bigger than banning these gadgets. The calibre of staff members who are recruited is questionable. In most cases, corrupt prison officials are smuggling in these illegal items for inmates.
“One of the most serious shortcomings in prisons is the lack of access control. it is very easy for officials or any other person to go into a prison with unwanted items. For many years, we have said that there must be scanners and metal detectors at all entrances (doors) of prisons,” said Bloem.
He said if the Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, wanted to bring an end to the lawlessness in prisons, he needed to implement cellphone jammers to render cellphones or any other electronic gadgets ineffective; install scanners and metal detectors at all entrances of correctional facilities; and review the Correctional Services Act, Rights, and Privileges of inmates as well as let inmates do handwork and keep them out of the cells as much as possible during the day.
He said the battle against unwanted illegal items can be won through the co-operation and assistance of society.
“Society has a duty to assist DCS to root out this evil that can put the lives of innocent people in danger.”
When asked about the allegations Bloem made, Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said these were personal views of Bloem, therefore, he couldn’t comment on them.
“We do engage with a variety of institutions or organisations. Their challenge comes in when some individuals see their views as supreme. As DCS, we are guided by the Correctional Services Act and our Standard Operating Procedures dictate what is to happen on the ground.
“Where there are challenges, the Department does attend to it and shall continue to do as per our mandate,” Nxumalo added.
Bloem’s utterance comes after the Department and police raided Sun City Prison in Johannesburg last week where they found inmates with weapons, PlayStations, cellphones, dagga and TVs.
Earlier this month, an inmate charged with kidnapping recorded a video of himself on a contraband cellphone at Goodwood Prison in Cape Town, boasting how he was living the “soft life” behind bars.
The Star
sipho.jack@inl.co.za